Motorcycle riding is a learned skill. It is not something with which one is born. Being able to walk is an ability acquired by trial and error. The common factor in all of these actions is balance. Trying, failing and falling is an acceptable sequence of events for a child until the first uncertain steps on two legs are taken. It takes many years to gain the control necessary to be a ballet dancer or a circus high wire performer. Most will not get that far and for the normal purposes of life a satisfactory standard is soon attained.
Once the concept and practice of balance has become an unconsciously performed action then many progress to learning to ride a bicycle. As with walking the occasional fall from a bicycle is not usually too serious. The machine is not heavy and the speed involved is not much more than a walking pace. The help of friend or relative jogging behind initially to assist the rider to acquire balance is useful, particularly for a child. Eventually, as with walking, the art of balancing on two wheels is learnt.
A motorcycle is much heavier than a bicycle and it is a much faster machine. It is not possible to run behind a motorcycle to help the rider with balance and a fall can have much more serious consequences than an infant’s tumble or cyclist’s crash. The ability to balance without thought is the first essential in learning to ride a motorcycle. If the aspirant rider does not have this skill on two wheels then first learning to ride a bicycle is the best approach. This is not an inconsequential matter for an adult
Some feel that it is best to progress from a bicycle to a moped and then to a motor scooter before attempting to ride a motorcycle. There is some merit in this approach. A smooth graduation to a powered machine whilst retaining in moments of crisis the use of the feet as balancing help can build confidence. The big step in moving to a motorcycle is that not all of the control of the machine is done with the hands. There is no “floor” on a motorcycle as there is on a motor scooter and on which the feet can be moved to maintain the sense of balance. Only one foot is occasionally needed to operate a foot brake on a motor scooter.
On a motorcycle the rider is astride rather than simply on the machine and all limbs are involved with machine control functions. The control of throttle, brakes, clutch and gears plus all of the minor operational functions such as lights, signals and horn are undertaken by the hands and the feet independently, synchronously or sequentially. The almost innate balance function must be provided by the whole of the body moving in collusion with the machine. It is this union of body and machine that must cope with varying road conditions, changing direction, and wind effects.
It is vital that the rider and the machine are a good fit. Controls must be with in easy reach while the rider is in a relaxed position and the feet should be able to touch the ground when the machine is at rest. This kind of matching may not be immediately possible especially if learning to ride is done on a borrowed machine. It is important that this linking of rider and machine is as good as possible in an owned machine for long term comfort and safety. Only experience over years can complete the course.
References:
Learning to ride a bicycle
Learning to ride a bicycle as an adult
Mopeds
Motor Scooters
Theory of Learning to ride